Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-05-27

up the contest. -.
was young sea captain by the
name of Mark Melville. Mark was cap
tain Of coasting vessel called the Grey
Eagle. knowing people said that young
Melville was engaged in smuggling goods
into the United States from Cuba, and oc-
casionally from St. Thomas, N. P. He
himself said that he was engaged in legltl-
mate trade, running between one OF the
small towns on the coast and New Orleans.
Mark had become desperately enamored
of Miss Moncreith, and was not long in
Offering his hand and heart, but was kindly
yet firmly refused. This threw him into
terrible rage; and Hebe, being pressed for
her refusal of his offer, did not hesitate to
inform him that she was already engaged
to Milton Montague. Melville smothered
his rage, but fully resolved on revenge. In
order to disarm suspicion. and encompass
his internal designs, he at once sought an
intimacy with Milton Montague, and, I'M
der the guise of friendship, succeeded in
inducing him to take cruise with him on
the Grey Eagle.
The evening was delightful one as they
sailed out of the harbor. The land breeze
that filled the sails was richly perfumed
with tropical flowers. The sailors were
gathered in little knots on deck, spinning
yarns, as sailors SO love to do. The night
was glorious one; the moon now having
attained her full size came up from her
waterv bed far over the gulf, causing the
gentle waves to glisten like molten silver.
Captain Melville and Montague were pac-
ing the deck back and forth-the latter en-
joying his first voyage at sea, while the for
mer was raclling his brain for some scheme
bv which he would be able to rid himself
Of successful rival.
The breeze suddenly died out and the
sails tapped idly against the masts. The
sailors as quickly ceased to talk, and every
eye was searching the sky for q storm
cloud, which the sudden dying of the breeze
foreboded.
ave shall have storm tonight, I fear"
said Melville.
81 pray God we may not" returned
Montague.
"Why?"
because storm in this latitude is fear
full enough on land; it must be doubly SO
on the ocean,"
Melville only chuckled, and told the man
aloft to keep sharp lookout for signs of q
storm. They had not long to wait until
the man shouted down that he saw small
cloud low down on the horizon to the
westward. The captain OF once gave
gave orders to take in SAIL and the men
went to work with will.
Rapidly as the men did their work, still
more rapidly came the storm cloud. At
first mere ink-spot. it grew like Jonahs
gourd; and as it advanced, it spread in
width around the horizon until it present.
ed one bold, broad front, across which the
lightning zig-zagged or shone forth in
| vivid flashes.
All was hustle, but not confusion. The
men worked earnestly; each man per-
formed the duty assigned him, for there
was guiding hand whom they recognized
as master. On came the cloud, and pres
emily a roaring sound that grew louder as
it approached. Every sail save one had
been taken in. The wind struck the vessel,
and she was almost thrown on her beam
end; then she righted, and, shaking off the
water, sped away like bird before the
gale. The single sail was blown into rib
bons and floated out in long streamers.
By the advice of the Captain, Milton
Montague had gone below as the storm
drew near, and before the matches we're
fastened down. Hour after hour the wind
howled through the rigging and the rain
fell in torrents. The waves tossed as if
drenched TO the skin, stood manfully at
their posts. There seemed to be a slight
lull in the storm, when the Captain went
below. When he returned, he called the
mate and two or three of the crew aside,
and told them that the young man had
gone stark mad, occasioned by the fear of
the storm, and that, as they could not spare
any men to watch him, they must secure
him and bring him him on deck.
To command was to be obeyed, and the
mate, with half dozen men ct his heels.
descended into the cabin, and soon returned
with Montague, making all the resistance
possible, for he no doubt supposed there
was some conspiracy on board, and that he
was to be cast overheard They bound
him fast to the mast, and then left him.
They had scarcely performed the duty
assigned them, when the man aloft shouted
that fearful cry, breakers ahead!" The
vessel was quickly put about, and sail after
sail unfurled, but they were blown into
pieces or literally wrenched from their fast
enlngs. The crew st&9d in despair, for the
vessel was slowly but sai.ely drifting to de-
At last the vessel struck with shock
that caused every timber to crack and trem.
BILE. The Captain ordered the boats to he
lowered, and the men into them.
Are you not going to take your friend
with us2" asked the mate.
NO, sald tne captain, he is already
insane, and it can make no difference to
him whether he lives or dies"
The men were in no condition to ask
questions, and SO took their places in the
boat. The Captain approached the snot
where young Montague was dashed to the
mast, and, with the look of demon IN h;s
courtenance, said: --'
Perhaps now you know what it ia to
cross Captain Melville in love. When
found that you were the accented sn;to-
for the hand of Hebe Moncreith T yowad
that you should be put out Of the V wav
Now die at your leisure! I leave Won -
Neptune, God. and the devil-plead Nv vou ~
own case;;" and before young Montao u
could ute. word in supplication, the Can
boat. -' VIC" III the
Perhaps the God that stills the stor,,,
heard that long, piercing vail for m e.urn
that young Montague uttered when 10y ~
found that he was left to fate more 1 ha,r Ie
ole than he had ever dreamed of hestnu; ti-
upon the yilest of all Gods creatures o"i Hs
5 heard the boats as they pulled away a m9
keIE MN to hla fri ~"ok dQU